United States 
North America Project Controls Innovation of the Year
Winner: GO Expansion, D2 Global.
This year’s winning entry stood out for its bold, practical innovation in tackling one of the most complex challenges in large-scale infrastructure delivery - rail access planning. SwiftView transformed what was once a fragmented and manual process into a centralized, visual, and data-driven platform. Designed in collaboration with end users, it not only improved stakeholder coordination but also embedded schedule optimization, risk management, and resource prioritization at the heart of planning operations.
Its implementation on Metrolinx’s $60 billion GO Expansion program led to measurable results — including significant OPEX savings, fewer schedule delays, and increased delivery confidence. By enabling real-time insights and proactive decision-making, SwiftView demonstrated how targeted digital solutions can drive efficiency and elevate project performance at scale. A true example of digital transformation in action, this tool redefined what effective access planning can look like — and set a new benchmark for project controls in complex infrastructure projects.
North America Project Controls Megaproject of the Year
Winner: Scarborough Subway Extension - Stations, Rails and Systems, AECON & FCC Canada
Delivering major infrastructure that shapes the future of a city requires more than just ambition, it requires transformation in how we plan, collaborate, and execute. The SSE-SRS project, a cornerstone of Scarborough’s future transit network, exemplifies this transformation. As a complex and high-impact megaproject, it demanded a bold new approach to delivery, with project controls playing a central role in the transition to a progressive design-build model. To reach the critical Commercial Close milestone, the team adapted traditional methods to fit this new model by introducing innovative practices and frameworks that elevated coordination, risk management, and cost control at scale.
But what truly sets this project apart is its commitment to continuous improvement. Lessons learned during the Development Phase are not only shaping the upcoming Implementation Phase, they are also being shared across the region to strengthen the delivery of transit infrastructure far beyond this one project. A forward-looking initiative, the SSE-SRS project is more than a piece of transit infrastructure, it is a blueprint for how megaprojects can be delivered smarter, faster, and more collaboratively.
North America Project Controls Professional of the Year
Winner: Ali Montaser, Accenture I&CP
This year’s recipient of the Professional of the Year award is someone whose career reflects not only deep expertise, but also an unwavering commitment to the advancement of project controls as a discipline. Ali Montaser with over two decades of global experience leading complex infrastructure, transit, energy, and civil projects across Canada, the U.S., and the Middle East. From shaping the $70 billion GO Expansion controls strategy to influencing best practices across sectors, Ali has been a driving force behind innovation, precision, and performance in the field. He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, contributed valuable insights and helping to evolve the theory and practice of project controls on a global scale.
Beyond project delivery, Ali is a respected mentor and educator, dedicated to empowering the next generation of professionals and raising the bar for excellence industry wide. Please join us in congratulating Ali Montaser, a leader, innovator, and true champion of the project controls profession.
North America Project Controls Transformation Project of the Year
Winner: The iCapital Intelligence Hub, Aramco
This year’s Transformation Award goes to a team that has redefined what’s possible in project control and portfolio delivery through the power of technology. The iCapital Intelligence Hub stands out for its bold, forward-thinking approach, harnessing predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, and chatbot technology to drive smarter decisions and unlock new levels of efficiency.
Its impact is tangible: fewer delays, optimized resource allocation, and greater forecasting accuracy, all contributing to enhanced performance across the organization. More than a tool, the Intelligence Hub is a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets execution. It reflects the team’s commitment to operational excellence and the organization’s broader vision for digital transformation. By recognizing iCapital tonight, we are not only celebrating a successful implementation, we are shining a light on the future of project controls and inspiring others to embrace technology as a catalyst for lasting impact.
North America Project Controls Consultancy of the Year
Winner: Project Training & Development
The Consultancy of the Year award recognizes firms that deliver measurable value, build capability, and drive lasting improvement across the organizations they support. This year’s winner exemplifies all of that and more. Through a tailored training program, the consultancy achieved a remarkable 100% pass rate for the PMI Scheduling Professional certification, equipping 30 employees with globally recognized credentials. What sets this achievement apart is the perfect balance between theory and real-world application. The program not only enhanced scheduling accuracy and improved risk management but also boosted stakeholder confidence and directly contributed to stronger business performance.
It’s a shining example of how targeted, high-quality consultancy can uplift both individual professionals and the organizations they serve. Please join us in congratulating our Consultancy of the Year, for setting a benchmark in professional development, delivery excellence, and client impact.
North America Project Controls in Government Service Excellence of the Year
Winner: Construction Package (CP) 4 Project, California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority)
Construction Package (CP) 4 marked the completion of the first constructed segment of a high-speed rail system in the USA. It was seen as a successful, pivotal step in the realization of a transformative first-in-the nation carbon-reduction high-speed rail project. It has played a direct role in advancing environmental goals to reduce California’s transportation carbon footprint through installation of the first segment of the first-in-the-nation high-speed rail. The CP4 project ensured protection of wildlife, including several endangered species through the development of crossings and habitat-sensitive sequencing of the project work plan.
CP4 met its key milestones despite significant stakeholder complexity, and it was completed without major utility service disruptions. It adhered to rigorous safety and environmental standards and demonstrated how coordinated controls can overcome multi-agency, seasonal, and legal complexities. CP4 has set foundation in statewide efforts to build the high-speed rail network that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease automobile congestion, and improve regional connectivity.
